Television series
Sam & Cat
- Buddy comedy
- Light-hearted
Sam & Cat is a Nickelodeon comedy about two mismatched roommates running a babysitting business. It's fast-paced, deliberately silly, and unafraid of absurdist humour—think sketch comedy meets sitcom. Made for kids who liked iCarly or Victorious, but genuinely silly enough that adults won't hate watching it.
If you liked this
iCarly2007
If you liked Sam's brand of chaos in Sam & Cat, iCarly is where that energy was born. Same creator, similar anarchic energy, and a genuinely funny take on teenage friendship and Internet fame.
But It's Nickelodeon-broad comedy from the late 2000s—some jokes land harder than others, and the romance subplot creeps in eventually.
Victorious2010
Same Nickelodeon DNA, same spirit of maximalist silliness. Ariana Grande was Cat here first, and the ensemble has real chemistry. It's busier and wilder than most sitcoms.
But Also prone to the occasional groan-worthy pun, and the plots exist mainly as excuses to get to the next sketch.
Kenan & Kel1996
The spiritual grandfather of this whole style: two mismatched best friends, surreal setups, punchlines that come fast and weird. Holds up genuinely well. Same tone of 'why is this happening?' humour.
But Shot on 90s video, so it looks exactly like it's from the 90s. And yes, orange soda is the entire joke sometimes.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Sam & Cat
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Community2009
Both use ensemble dynamics and the friendship between unlike people as the foundation. Both are willing to break format when the joke demands it. But Community weaponizes that for complexity; Sam & Cat uses it for pure fun.
When you're ready for Sam & Cat's comedy to get conceptually ambitious. Still silly and anarchic, but building complex ideas underneath. Genuinely inventive and weird while remaining warm about its characters.
But Mature, complex, sometimes self-aware to the point of showing off. Takes itself seriously sometimes. Completely different pacing from Nickelodeon sitcom structure.
More like this (6)
The Loud House2016
Nickelodeon animation that inherited Sam & Cat's commitment to chaos and absurdity. Fast jokes, warm characters, and a genuine love of the ridiculous without trying too hard.
But It's gentler and more sentimental than Sam & Cat—if you want the edge, this feels softened.
Drake & Josh2004
Another Nickelodeon classic about two completely different guys living together. The physical comedy and pure goofiness is right in Sam & Cat's wheelhouse.
But Quite a bit broader and more dated now. Some jokes that worked in 2004 definitely don't anymore.
Zoey 1012005
Same network energy, same era of deliberately silly teenage adventures. It's got heart under the chaos, and actually develops its characters across seasons.
But It's considerably more wholesome and less zany. If you loved Sam & Cat's weirdness, this might feel a bit sincere.
Supergirl2015
Different tone entirely, but features Ariana Grande's Cat actress in a lead role. If you want to see her shine in something more grounded, it's a solid superhero show with genuine warmth.
But It's a completely different genre—no comedy, no sketches. You're watching for the actor, not the vibe.
Austin & Ally2011
Disney's equivalent to this formula: two leads with opposite personalities, music, and a lot of deliberately goofy situations. Same energy, just a bit glossier production.
But Disney polish means it's a bit safer. Less willing to be truly weird.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt2015
Tina Fey's comedy about chaos and friendship. Tonally it's what Sam & Cat would be if it had an adult budget and Netflix's willingness to be stranger and darker.
But Much more adult—references and themes that skew toward older audiences. Not a kids' show pretending to be sophisticated; it is sophisticated.
People
Cast
Writing
- Dan SchneiderCreator
Production
- Karla TorresAssociate Producer
- Jake FarrowCo-Executive Producer
- Robin WeinerCo-Executive Producer
- Jeffrey GoldsteinCo-Producer
- Dan SchneiderExecutive Producer
- Warren BellExecutive Producer
- Bruce Rand BermanProducer
- Christopher J. NowakProducer
- Kim SherwoodProducer